Attendance at 69 percent as Pleasant Plains school inches toward normalcy after virus

Advance file photoStarting on Friday afternoon, dozens of children began vomiting in class at PS 3 in Pleasant Plains, after contracting what officials have determined to be the NorovirusSTATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- It’s not often a school is likened to a cruise ship.

“We’re all close together,” said Principal Judith Wilson. “The heat is on all day and we’re in close quarters.”

Such viruses are known to sicken many people on a cruise ship in a short amount of time because the passengers are spending all of their time together.

Starting on Friday afternoon, dozens of children began vomiting in class after contracting what officials have determined to be the Norovirus, which spreads easily among schoolchildren in the winter. Other symptoms have included fever and diarrhea.

Students and staff are continuing to fall ill, although the spread is slowing down. Yesterday, about 50 people went home, while today, about 10 students went home, either because they were sick or because parents were concerned, officials said.

Attendance also continues to decline, with just 69 percent of the student body in class today. Yesterday, 73 percent of children came to school while last Friday, 95 percent of the students were there.

“(The virus) is pretty wicked on children,” Ms. Wilson, the principal, said. “It really dehydrates them and it affects children more than adults.”

Still, while she understands parents’ fears, she said the school has been taking every precaution and she encourages parents to send their children to school if they’re healthy.